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Delta lawyer, Kingsley Akpederin, on Wednesday formally declared his intention to run for the Sapele State Constituency election in 2027, saying he has a bright chance of winning the House of Assembly election.

 

"The advantage I have over my rivals is that I have more experience in grassroots mobilization and reach. I also have the confidence of the majority of people who have continually been reaching out to me to go into the ring again."

 

He also said his decision to contest in 2027 was informed by the need to shift from top-down directives to participatory governance where citizens define, track and influence policy implementation.

 

Akpederin, a  contestant on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), spoke to journalists in Asaba on his House of Assembly bid, 2027 elections and plans for the wonderful people of Sapele.

 

He identified economic and social development, security, welfare, accountability and digital governance as key pillars of a genuine people-centered agenda.  

 

"Decisions are made daily by those in government which affect all of us. If we neglect to participate in politics, we would have got ourselves into a situation whereby the worst of us decide so much which affects our lives and those of our children and our future. Politics determines whether public resources would be directed to the welfare of the people or would be misappropriated for matters not beneficial to the people or even squandered. So in a nutshell, my decision to participate in politics is to contribute to having a government that has an agenda for the people."

 

The renowned community leader labeled participation as the hallmark of representative democracy.

 

"It is good that many persons are interested in contesting for the position of House Assembly position. It means if we have a free and fair election, there would be an array of candidates that the people can choose from. Participation is the hallmark of representative democracy."

 

He scored the National Assembly high for the introduction of biometrics and electronic processes in the country’s elections.

 

"This is the fourth time I am running for the same office. Unfortunately, most of the time, the Electoral Process did not always afford the people the opportunity to choose the person they truly desire. There was a time that one person could have several voter cards and vote several times. There was even a time that figures were just capriciously allotted to candidates by compromised presiding officers of Polling Units. But with the introduction of elements of biometrics and electronic processes in our elections, we hope to get a more credible process and outcome."